New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-28
THE LINCOLN HOMESTEAD.
PLANS FOR ITS PRESERVATION.
ROBERT LINCOLN HAS DECIDED 1T TO THE STATE
A CUSTODIAN TO CARE FOR THE RELICS.

ROBERT LINCOLN HAS DECIDED IT TO THE STATE
CUSTODIAN TO CARE FOR THE RELICS.
CHICAGO Aug. 27 (Specian.-The Board OF 1rus-
tees of the Lincoln Homestead consisting OF the Gov
ernor the Secretary of State State Treasurer State
Auditor and Superintendent of Public Instruction,
and so constituted by act of the last Legislature,
met last Tuesday at Springfield and organized by
eectng Governor Oglesby as president OF the board
and Auditor Swigert secretary. Tho business OF
the board carry tie provisions of the bill for
repair upon the old homestead and the appoint
ment OF a custodian. Robert Lincoln has sent deed
of the property, and the State will formally tnke
possession at once. Robert Lincoln has owned the
house the assassination. Many ehorts have been
made by spectators and adVentdrers to purchase
the property but Mr. Lincoln has repeatedly re-
fused ell oaers intending probably TO deed it uti-
matey to the State ard it from the grasp OF the
none -makers.
The house contains about ten rooms, which are OF
ordinary size The two north rooms the lower
floor are occupied with the relics and memorials OF
Lincoln about 2 600 in ALL and consisting OF several
old pieces of furniture used by the family-the old
cooking stove which cooked the last meal eaten by
the President and his family before starting for
Washington law books and Office furniture; the old
family cradle in which Robert heard .he lullaby
from his mothers lips; numerous small articles OF
small actual value, hut valuable as relics copies OF
all the memorials, addresses and resolutions OF con-
dolence sent to Mrs. Lincoln from all parts OF the
world all the biographies of Lincoln copies OF the
Lincoln O stand made of wood taken from Lncoln's
boarding house at old Salem CAM aign 'dges and
devices OF all sorts $50 medals of every conceivable
design busts both small and largei letters from
Grant, Hancock, Morton. Wade and hundreds OF
other ustrious men, testiiying to the greatness OF
Lincoln bits OF Lincons garments and other things
too numerous to mention.
The house Is occupied by o. ii. Oldroyd. q local
merchant He moved into the house about Two years
ago. Dr. Wenlandt lived in it before Mr. Ola foyd,
hafo Dr Harlow. formerly
Secretary of State, occupied 1t for many years Mr.
Od oyd was originally from Ohio, coming to spring
field about sixteen years ago. He served In Company
4 of the Goth Oh) Regiment IN the Rebellion. lie
has always had disposition for collecting relics, and
began to humor this oharacteriso back IN tne snnes
toes When Lincoln died, he began the work oil get
ting together anything and everything pertaining to
the martyr President. lie has steadily gone on add
ing until to-day he has large and valuable collce-
ton.
lie understood some time before the meeting OF the
last Legislature what Robert Lincolns Intentions
were reference the final disposition OF the prop
erty, and went 10 work TO bring It about resoiu-
ton offered by Representative Bogardus, at the
suggestion OF Mr. Oldroyd, for the purpose oil ascer-
tanning upon what terms the State could acquire pos
session of the old Lincoln homestead and also OF the
memorial collection now in the house committee
was appointed. with Representative Bogardus as
chairman to Mr. Lincoln aud ascertain his wishes.
and also what terms could be made with Mr. Old-
royd for kee ping bis collection I'm the house Mr. Lin
coin agreed TO deed the property TO the state upon
condition that the property should be preserved,
kept IN Ufuer, anu OF access W "ho W
visit it, Mr.. Oldroyd told the committee that, # he
appointed custodian, no would keep MS collec-
ton in the house and deed the properly TO the state
at his death. lie also said that he would expect
salary OF 81 800 year. The committees report was
accepted. and resolution was introduced accepting
Mr. Lincolus proposition anu providing tor the re-
tenton OF the Odroyd collection in the house,
although not naming Mr. OldrOyC as custodian The
resolution had reached second reading IN tho SEN
ate. when Senator Curss offered substitute, which
provided that the custodian should be a crippled
Illinois soldier This tailod, and the bill passed as
originally introduced.